Outreach center seeks volunteers

Onslow Community Outreach is looking for some sponsors and vendors to help bring a taste of Germany to Jacksonville.

The organization, formerly known as Onslow Community Ministries, will host Oktoberfest on Oct. 24 at Riverwalk Crossing Park. They have secured some sponsors - including title sponsor National Volkswagen - organizers said they hope to find more businesses willing to help.

Onslow Community Outreach depends entirely on donations, and this year, funds are down nearly $40,000, said Theresa Caserta, a member of the outreach's board and chairwoman of Oktoberfest. The organization has had to cut back on some programs, and organizers hope they can "raise enough money to carry us in the lean times," she said.

The money raised benefits the county's soup kitchen, homeless shelter and Caring Community Clinic, said Sandra Wyrick, executive director of Onslow Community Outreach.

This will be the second Oktoberfest. It will include a bratwurst tent with sauerkraut and German potato salad; a beer garden; polka music; maypole dancing; a children's area with a bouncy castle, slide, fossil dig and face painting; and dozens of vendors, Caserta said. German clothing is encouraged.

The event will also feature a 5K run, a pinewood derby, and other contests, including "Last Man Standing," in which participants hold a beer stein full of water out in front of them for as long as they can, Caserta said.

Schools, businesses, artisans, crafters and nonprofits that wish to participate as vendors can sign up now; vendors that sign up before Aug. 1 receive a $25 discount.

"We want this to be the community helping the community," Caserta said.

Last year, the event drew nearly 3,000 people, even in windy, rainy conditions, Wyrick said. So this year, vendors can expect thousands to browse their wares.

"We'll get the crowd here," she said.

For more information about Onslow Oktoberfest, visit www.onslowoktoberfest.org www.onslowoktoberfest.org.